NCLEX-PN Medications to Know
2026 | High-Yield Drug Guide with
Nursing Implications
1. Heparin - answer-Anticoagulant;Monitor pt's lab work-PTT.
Antidote is protamine sulfate
2. Lovenox - answer-Anticoagulant; Enoxaparin sodium
3. Plavix - answer-(Clopidogrel); This antiplatelet drug prolongs
bleeding time, so it should be watched. Avoid aspirin
4. Tylenol - answer-Analgesic; Antipyretic; liver toxicity with high
doses; <4000mg/day; liver patient <2000mg/day
5. Lithium - answer-Antimanic ; a primary drug in manic depression
(bipolar);
6. 0.8-1.2 mEq/L; monitor blood levels.
7. Vancomycin - answer-Antibiotic; Treats MRSA, C diff; Ototoxic,
nephrotoxic; Infuse slowly (60 min) to avoid red man syndrome;
CDC 12-step program
, 8. Gentamycin - answer-Aminoglycoside, Antibiotic; Neurotoxicity,
nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity. Slow IV/IM Synergistic when
combined with a B-lactam (Sepsis); carefully monitor client's
taking furosemide (lasix).
9. Dilaudid - answer-Hydromorphone, Narcotic Analgesic; CNS
Depressant
10. Morphine - answer-(MS Contin); opioid; CNS depressant,
constipation, confusion, hypotension, urinary retention,
tolerance; monitor respiration, pain, teach fall precaution,
constipation, bright room. Should be withheld if the respirations
are below 10
11. Valium - answer-(Diazepam); Benzodiazepine; Antianxiety;
potentiates GABA, abuse potential, tolerance. SE: CNS effects
(sedation, dizzy, confusion) Muscle relaxant.
12. Ativan - answer-(Lorazepam); Antianxiety; Antiseizure;
Benzodiazepine; CNS depressant (sedation), blackout, respiratory
depressant; assess fall, monitor respiration if on other CNS
depressant.
13. Lipitor - answer-(Atorvastatin); Antihyperlipidemic;
MONITOR LIVER ENZYMES, ASSESS FOR MUSCLE PAIN AND
TENDERNESS, REPORT TO DR IF PRESENT; Statin
2026 | High-Yield Drug Guide with
Nursing Implications
1. Heparin - answer-Anticoagulant;Monitor pt's lab work-PTT.
Antidote is protamine sulfate
2. Lovenox - answer-Anticoagulant; Enoxaparin sodium
3. Plavix - answer-(Clopidogrel); This antiplatelet drug prolongs
bleeding time, so it should be watched. Avoid aspirin
4. Tylenol - answer-Analgesic; Antipyretic; liver toxicity with high
doses; <4000mg/day; liver patient <2000mg/day
5. Lithium - answer-Antimanic ; a primary drug in manic depression
(bipolar);
6. 0.8-1.2 mEq/L; monitor blood levels.
7. Vancomycin - answer-Antibiotic; Treats MRSA, C diff; Ototoxic,
nephrotoxic; Infuse slowly (60 min) to avoid red man syndrome;
CDC 12-step program
, 8. Gentamycin - answer-Aminoglycoside, Antibiotic; Neurotoxicity,
nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity. Slow IV/IM Synergistic when
combined with a B-lactam (Sepsis); carefully monitor client's
taking furosemide (lasix).
9. Dilaudid - answer-Hydromorphone, Narcotic Analgesic; CNS
Depressant
10. Morphine - answer-(MS Contin); opioid; CNS depressant,
constipation, confusion, hypotension, urinary retention,
tolerance; monitor respiration, pain, teach fall precaution,
constipation, bright room. Should be withheld if the respirations
are below 10
11. Valium - answer-(Diazepam); Benzodiazepine; Antianxiety;
potentiates GABA, abuse potential, tolerance. SE: CNS effects
(sedation, dizzy, confusion) Muscle relaxant.
12. Ativan - answer-(Lorazepam); Antianxiety; Antiseizure;
Benzodiazepine; CNS depressant (sedation), blackout, respiratory
depressant; assess fall, monitor respiration if on other CNS
depressant.
13. Lipitor - answer-(Atorvastatin); Antihyperlipidemic;
MONITOR LIVER ENZYMES, ASSESS FOR MUSCLE PAIN AND
TENDERNESS, REPORT TO DR IF PRESENT; Statin
